2019 Adrianne V. Mundus Bacilus Terrae Malbec

Lots of black fruit with black truffles and dried flowers. Moss and earth, too. Full-bodied and earthy on the palate with blackberry and black earth. Firm, tight finish with juicy fruit at the end. Needs three or four years to open. Drink after 2024. (James Suckling)

Named after Nicolás Catena Zapata’s youngest daughter, the Adrianna Vineyard is located at almost 5,000 feet elevation in Mendoza. The soils in this 1.4 hectare parcel are filled with scattered limestone and marine deposits that covered the region millions of years ago. The limestone layers are well-drained and particularly rich in rhizobacteria, the microorganisms that help vine roots withstand stress and absorb nutrients. Thus, the name "mundus bacillus terrae" or "elegant microbes of the earth."

CLIMATE CONDITIONS
A spring frost reduced yields by about 20%, but we saved most of the harvest by turning on anti-frost cans in Adrianna. A few all-nighters were pulled by Belén, Luis, Laureano and Miguel in the month of November. A nice dose of goat and sheep dung and worm compost kept the organically farmed Adrianna Vineyard happy throughout the growing season. The Catena Institute’s first year of microbial population study of the Fortuna and Mundus parcels showed a diverse and healthy population of microbes, different for each site. In three years we will hopefully have enough information to start understanding how microbial biodiversity and populations affect plant well-being and Malbec flavors.

WINEMAKING
Fermentation: 75% of the beginning of fermentation in Concrete (50% whole cluster) and 25% of the completion of fermentation in Oak Foudre (just juice). Max. Ferm. Temp. 25-30° C, 8-13 days maceration. Aging: 18 months in Frenach Oak barrel, oak treatment is decided according to the vintage characteristics.